Be open to Him because He already knows it.
Jeremiah 16:17: “I am watching them closely, and I see every sin. They cannot hope to hide from me.”
The book of Jeremiah tells us the story of God’s wrath and grace. He wants to cleanse His nation from bad leadership. We see the death of a nation - the kingdom of Judah slowly falling apart under the infection of evil that had spread across the land, from the king down to the common people. It ends with the inevitable climax of God's judgment - invasion of the nation and the overthrow of the kingdom.
In many ways, we are facing a parallel situation in our day. As you know, we are experiencing continually worsening times. The primary message of this book is how to face an increasingly cruel and tough world. Nothing speaks to our hearts more relevantly than the book of Jeremiah. From that ancient day to this, we find the need to learn how to face stress, difficult circumstances, and the increase of evil, and to do so with equanimity, serenity, and power.
Most often, we sin, and whenever we sin, we try our best to hide it. We hide our sins from family, friends, co-workers, acquaintances, and even from ourselves. And even though we know God knows, we often think that if no one else can see our sins and if we don't acknowledge them, they'll simply go away. Sometimes we ask God to take our sins from us, but we only refer to them as "sins."
The best way to deal with this is to bring everything to Him, acknowledge what is wrong, pour ourselves into Christ, and fully surrender to Him to receive the help needed to avoid the temptations that lead us to mistrust Him and His awesome work in our lives. We know we can't deal with our temptations alone, so let's equip ourselves with the words of God and put on the whole armor to confront and deal with the temptations that lead to sin.
Let's start our day by knowing that the Lord is there for us and has provided us with what we need (Ephesians 6:11-18). Let's dress ourselves today before stepping into our lives with the Belt of Truth, the Breastplate of Righteousness, and the Shoes of Peace. Let's also take up the Shield of Faith, the Helmet of Salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit, so we can deal with the temptations that push us to sin. Instead of waiting for tomorrow, let's acknowledge our sins today and ask God to help us put on His armor to be protected from the attacks of, our adversary.
Promise: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Prayer: Dear Lord, Heavenly Father, mighty wonderful God. Lord, we come before you today with humble hearts, seeking your guidance, strength, and wisdom. We acknowledge that you are the source of all power and authority, and we thank you for your love and grace that never fails.
Lord, we confess that we are weak and prone to sin. We often find ourselves succumbing to temptations and struggling to resist the ways of the world. We ask for your forgiveness for the times we have fallen short and strayed from your path. We pray for your mercy and cleansing, that you may wash away our sins and make us whole once again.
Father, we recognize that we cannot overcome these challenges on our own. We need your strength to face the trials and tribulations of life. We ask that you fill us with your Holy Spirit, empowering us to resist temptation and walk in righteousness. Help us to be vigilant and discerning, keeping our hearts and minds focused on you.
Lord, we also pray for those around us who are struggling with sin and temptation. We lift them up to you, asking that you would touch their hearts and bring them back into alignment with your will. Give them the strength to overcome their weaknesses and the courage to seek your forgiveness and grace.
Furthermore, Lord, we ask for your guidance in making choices that honor you. Direct our steps and illuminate our path, so that we may follow your will in all areas of our lives. Help us to discern right from wrong, and to have the courage to stand for truth and righteousness, even in the face of adversity.
Finally, Lord, we thank you for your unwavering love and faithfulness. Thank you for the assurance that you are always with us, even in our weakest moments. Thank you for the promise that your grace is sufficient for us, and that your power is made perfect in our weakness.
We offer this prayer in the mighty name of Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer. Amen.
Have a blessed day!